Tyreek Hill has already been banned from participating in any team activities - as a result of the disturbing audio recording that surfaced last week - and the NFL is now considering placing him on the commissioner's exempt list. According to ESPN, that decision could be made as early as this week.
The criminal case against the Chiefs wide receiver and his fiancee, Crystal Espinal, was reopened on Friday, which may force the league's hand. In the recording, Espinal accuses Hill of breaking their three-year old son's arm, and Hill could be heard replaying, "You need to be terrified of me too, bitch."
Per ESPN:
"The designation is a way to keep a player off the field while the league reviews a charge or allegation and reaches a conclusion on discipline, and the league usually waits until the legal system concludes its process, which was just reopened last week in Kansas City after prosecutors received the audio from a local TV station."
"The exemption usually works as a suspension with pay, but because players aren't paid in the offseason, that doesn't apply in this case. While on the commissioner's exempt list, Hill would be prohibited by the NFL from taking part in practices and other team activities."
The Chiefs released the following statement last Friday, in regards to the audio and the team's decision to ban him from any team activities for the foreseeable future.
“We were made aware of the audio between Tyreek and Crystal. We were made aware of the information in real time, just like the general public. We were deeply disturbed and concerned by what we heard. We have great concern for Crystal, we are greatly concerned for Tyreek, but our main concern is with the young child.”
“We decided at this time and for the foreseeable future, Tyreek Hill will not take part in any team activities. We are going to gather more information, we are going to evaluate this information, and we will make the right decision regarding Tyreek Hill.”